State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) is nearing
the end of his legislative career – at least for now. Ammiano, 72, is
termed out of the Assembly and will leave office in December.

Over an impressive tenure in Sacramento, Ammiano has seen
groundbreaking bills become law, most recently Assembly Bill 1266. Called the
School Success and Opportunity Act, AB 1266, which went into effect January 1,
ensures that California public schools are committed to the success of all
students, including those transgender-identified. Under the law, transgender
students have the right to participate in all school activities, like sports
teams, and use school facilities like bathrooms based on their gender identity.
An effort by anti-gay opponents to qualify a referendum to repeal the bill
failed to obtain enough valid signatures and the new law remains in effect.

Ammiano told the Bay Area Reporter
last year that he plans to write a memoir after
leaving office. We can't wait. Stories about his previous careers as a teacher
and stand-up comedian, combined with Sacramento politics, should make for a
great read.

Oakland's mayor has long been a supporter of the LGBT community
and is regularly in attendance at Pride and other events. Quan is facing a
tough re-election fight this fall, as the city wrestles with crime and other
problems. Lower housing costs has meant that many people who can't afford to
live in San Francisco are giving Oakland a look. The city's vibrant restaurant
scene is a hit with residents and visitors alike.

Jason Galisatus, 21, is best known for co-founding Bay Area
Youth Summit, a biennial leadership training conference for LGBT and allied
youth to learn about anti-bullying tactics to exercise in their school
environments. Empowerment, Galisatus told the B.A.R.
in an interview last year, is the core purpose of
the conference, which is a combination of workshops and speakers.

Youth activist Jason Galisatus.Photo: Elliot Owen

"The speakers inspire, motivate, and provide that
pathos that drives people to get involved," he said. "The workshops
teach how and when one can apply that new activist drive."

Following last year's summit, Galisatus stepped down from
BAYS to help ensure a smooth leadership transition.

In a recent email, Galisatus said that he is in his third
year at Stanford and looking forward to completing his degree in political
science. Since stepping down from BAYS, he has traveled around the country
speaking on LGBT issues.

"I am also working on forming an LGBT commission in San
Mateo County to give policy advice to the Board of Supervisors on how to make
the Peninsula a more welcoming place for LGBT individuals."

Up next for the young man is an internship in Washington,
D.C. in the press office for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco).

"I would like to thank the readers of the B.A.R.
for this incredible honor as well as my fellow
outstanding LGBT youth activists who fight every day for the right simply to go
to school without fear," Galisatus said.

Best Resource for Seniors

LGBT Community Center

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center remains a hub for seniors in the community. It is the landlord for Openhouse, the LGBT senior services agency. Openhouse holds its Health and Wellness Fourth Fridays, drop-in groups, and the popular Game Day every Saturday at the center. For more information, see http://openhouse-sf.org/event/lgbt-community-center/.

San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener is once again the
winner in this category. His supporters point to his work on issues like
HIV/AIDS funding and working to increase affordable housing options. Most
recently, he is proposing legislation that would amend the planning code to
allow for construction of an additional dwelling (in-law) unit within the
existing envelope of a residential building or auxiliary structure on the same
lot on any parcel in the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District (with a
few exceptions).

His detractors believe he is too beholden to lobbyists and
"downtown" business.

Wiener, who is up for re-election this year, has no major
opponents so far, although that could change as the filing deadline is still
several months away.

In an email to the B.A.R., Wiener said he didn't mind winning the category.

"I'm flattered, since if no one is mad at you, you're
probably not getting much done," he said. "Since taking office, I've
proposed fresh approaches to our housing crisis, worked to protect funding for
HIV and LGBT youth services, demanded that we invest in our public transit
systems, and focused on improving our parks and public spaces.

"I've also worked with the community to deliver for our
neighborhoods, including advancing the Castro Street sidewalk widening project,
saving the Noe Valley farmers market by purchasing the site for a future park,
and moving forward renovations of Dolores Park, Glen Canyon, and other
parks," he added. "I'll continue to do this work, even if not
everyone loves me all the time."

Runners-up

SF Mayor Ed Lee

Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)

Personal trainer Matt Moore.Photo: Courtesy Matt Moore

Best Personal Trainer

Matt Moore/Fitness SF

According to his webpage on the Fitness SF site, personal
trainer Matt Moore specializes in building core strength, muscular development,
weight loss, and food and nutrition counseling. He is a certified personal
trainer, corrective exercise specialist, and a food nutrition specialist. He is
an evolution 2 level trainer, and is one of several at the popular Castro gym. B.A.R.
readers obviously like his technique.

Local photographer Joe Mazza is a repeat winner in this
category. Originally from Los Angeles, Mazza moved to San Francisco more than
16 years ago and is a freelance photographer and acting coach. On his website,
Mazza notes that it's his goal to "recognize the vision you have for your
project and to translate that vision into beautifully captured images. I am
most interested in getting a sense of what's unique about you, and which sides
of yourself you would like to capture." Clients have included Yorkies
underwear and the American Idol website.

Dr. Balathazar Guzman, DDS, is a Bay Area native who grew up
in the North Bay. He offers a full range of dental services. "In our
practice, we will do everything within our power to give you the most
individual care possible," he says on his website. "It is our goal to
offer you the most accurate diagnosis possible and to make sure your treatment
is as comfortable as possible.

There was a close race in this category, but UCSF was the
favorite of B.A.R. readers by a whisker.
UCSF Medical Center consistently ranks as one of the top 10 hospitals in the
United States. Recognized for innovative treatments, advanced technology, collaboration
among health care professionals and scientists, and a highly compassionate
patient care team, UCSF Medical Center serves as the academic medical center of
UCSF. The medical center's nationally preeminent programs include children's
health, the brain and nervous system, organ transplantation, women's health,
and cancer. It operates as a self-supporting enterprise within UCSF and
generates its own revenues to cover the operating costs of providing patient
care.

Attorney Thomas R. Burns won this category for the second
consecutive year. He specializes in bankruptcy, with offices located in San
Francisco and Walnut Creek. According to his website, Burns and his team have
provided help and relief to clients when they experience unmanageable financial
situations.

A repeat winner in this category, 360 Skin was founded by
Brandon Doyle. The medical esthetics practice is fully licensed, and offers a
wide variety of treatments for skincare issues. Facials, waxing, chemical
peels, and more are available.

Glama-Rama is a new winner this year. The salon offers a
full range of services with everything from haircuts and colors to dreadlocks
and chemical straightening. The company also just opened a new store in Oakland.